Sarah Ann,

Don't worry about taking shorter walks. The metabolism thing may be true (no-one really knows yet) but we do know that it is the volume of exercise you get more than the speed or time you spend exercising that matters.

All this means is that it doesn't matter if you and George cover 4 miles in 3 or 7 outings a day, as long as you cover the 4 miles a day (substitute your own distance and trips obviously).

If you are feeling more tired than usual and have checked out things like SADS, ToM, diet changes or boredom etc, try breaking up your exercise patterns. You might find that different times and durations help.

Stef

No - I could NEVER get bored with walking near here. I live right on the edge of one of the Yorkshire Moors and the bit nearest to where I live is a managed wild life nature reserve and is totally and completely beautiful - 99% of the time I have it all to myself. Apart from the wild life reserve, there isn't just one 'walk' - there are things to see in all directions - woods, fields, the local coal mine, rivers, streams, bog moors - even the actual Moors themselves are beautiful, especially right now with all the spring wild flowers in bloom and the wild rhododendrons about to flower.

Perhaps if I lived somewhere more urban I wouldn't walk so much - certainly when I lived in central London the most walking I did was Piccadilly Circus to Wimpole Street each morning and evening.

The second incentive is that I am 46 and I have had a hysterectomy and we have got a family history of osteoporosis so I would be totally nuts if I didn't do the sort of exercise that will increase my bone density. Walking is free and no need for any special outfits, etc, all I need is a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

My final incentive of course is that my dog is a 80lb Labrador 'puppy' age 10 months who knows approximately what time he should be walked and if I go past it he just sits or stands in front of me staring me in the eyes, holding his lead in his mouth! If I ignore him he then gets anxious and destructive...... and he always picks something of mine!

I think walking is fantastic exercise and completely free. I used to walk for an hour nearly every evening and it helped me lose lots of weight. I don't do it anymore because I don't feel safe out in the dark evenings by myself.

I have started exercising at the gym again and have been getting an increasing number of headaches. Someone mentioned to me that I might not be drinking enough water but I drink 2 litres of water at work and go to the gym straight after work. Maybe its just the stress of having to force myself through the doors of the leisure centre :devil:

Phoebe, how are your headaches doing? Are you still getting them??

Yes, I had to buy some headache tablets on Saturday and was surprised at how quickly I had got through the last ones. I have been going to bed with a headache on some nights and then waking up still with the headache the next day.

I gave blood this morning and was borderline aneamic so that may explain them.

Did they take your BP when you gave blood? I haven't ever done it, so I don't know. Its just that I get a lot of headaches with my high BP although they are getting fewer nowadays.

The other thing that occurred to me is that you might have introduced something new in to your food now that you are dieting which your body can't tolerate. My husband seems to be allergic to caffeine and gets splitting headaches if he eats normal chocolate, drinks cola or coffee. Just a thought.....

I was just reading your posts and I have to say I've been getting some really horrid headaches over the past 2/3 weeks. I'm also going to bed with one and getting up in the morning and it's still there. I too have been getting through a surprising amount of painkillers.

I wonder if I'm not getting enough fluids?! Last week after aerobics I got up from the floor exercises (being careful not to lift my head up too quickly) and when I stood up my head was throbbing and yesterday I bent over to pick up some toys and my head hurt again - I wonder if it has something to do with being on a diet:?: Although I do think I am eating healthily.

Yes I did have by BP checked yesterday when they did the blood test. The nurse didn't say anything so I guess it was normal.

Just as I was typing this reply, it dawned on me that I have yet another headache coming on and its only 8.49 am :( I only drink one cup of coffee a day and have at least 2 litres of water. It maybe something in my diet causing it, hope its not cheese as I couldn't live without that.

Out of interest, have either of you being trying to give up or cut right down on caffeine?? When I gave up caffeine a couple of years ago I had SPLITTING headaches for quite a while. My doctor said it was withdrawal symptoms...!

No, I don't really like coffee or tea that much and usually have one cup maximum a day. I have been trying to cut down on alcohol though .............. yikes, maybe its withdrawal symptons from that :o

I've just been chatting to a friend who is a nutritionist - did you used to drink an alcoholic drink which made from grapes - like wine or brandy? If you did then it IS possible you are getting withdrawal headaches! How weird is THAT!!!! I knew that drinking wine can cause migraines but I never thought that giving it up could cause headaches!!!

You live and learn....

Gives me a B I G headache when I try to give it up :lol: :lol:

I gave up caffeine last january and woke up every morning for 3 months with a 'hangover ' type headache. would never go back to it now, but I miss my black coffee!!

TQ - have you tried Cafe Hag? All the other decaff coffees are chemically stripped of caffeine and the chemicals used can give a bit of an upset tummy, but Cafe Hag uses a more natural process and because of that it counts towards your 'water quota' for the day.

Netto sells it at 99p for 100g - it costs around £2.99 anywhere else.

i just use the herbal/fruit teas now and have the occasional belgian choc options drink when I feel the 'need' :s: i love peppermint tea, all the others I just tolerate but i have really got into peppermint.
I haven't tried cafe Hag but will get some from Netto next time to try.